Meadow lark
1827-1838
John James Audubon famously shot birds and posed them with wires to create these dramatic, lifelike scenes for his legendary book 'The Birds of America.' In this vibrant plate, a bright yellow-breasted Meadow Lark sings proudly from a log, while others flutter near a hidden nest tucked into tall grasses and golden flowers. Audubon insisted on drawing birds at actual size, which meant he had to use massive 'double elephant' folio paper just to fit them all in! This masterpiece of natural history illustration completely changed how Americans viewed their own wildlife in the 19th century.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper